5 Common Causes of Back Pain
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As much as 80 percent of people have back pain problems at some point. It can be quite painful and very frustrating, especially because the causes aren’t always known. Luckily, the pain goes away on its own most of the time.
Sometimes, however, back pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition. That’s why it’s important to visit the doctor regularly and tell them about any new symptoms. Most of the back problems could be solved easily and without too much disturbance in your daily routine.
Obesity
Most back problems are caused by obesity, especially if you have recently gained weight and your body is still adapting the change. Aside from visiting a spine care specialist, another way you can help your spine is to lose weight and get back into shape. Back exercises don’t require any equipment or training. Just take a few minutes every day to stretch and and pull the shoulders backward in order to tighten the muscles. Start by trying to touch your toes and getting back up slowly. Do this a few times everyday and you’ll be on the right track. Talk to a professional nutritionist before embarking on any diet or hard exercise.
Strains
These smaller injuries that neurosurgeons call musculoskeletal back injuries can happen every day even during minor exercises. For instance, you can pick up a box from the floor and feel the pain for the next couple of weeks. Muscle or ligament injuries are especially hard because they cause spasms which you feel as searing pain. Usually, all you need to do is take some time off, lay on your back and wait for it to pass. Hard mattresses can also be of great help, as well as warm baths and massages.
Poor posture
Too much sitting is the root cause of an increasing number of spinal conditions. A large number of jobs now are sedentary, which means more and more people are suffering from poor posture because they are sitting for an extended period of time. The pain is worse if the muscles surrounding your abdomen are weak, as well. There are only two things you can do: exercising regularly to get rid of belly fat and watching your posture. Try to take notice of the way you sit and correct it when it’s necessary. Also, take short breaks and walks during the day.
Disc degeneration
When spinal bones are separated from each other by discs, these discs can degenerate over time and cause serious pain. When the outer part of the disc is weakened, the insides can slip out and press the spinal nerves. In this case, the pain goes from the back and down the leg. The most common cause of disc degeneration is age, which isn’t something you can do much about. However, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and refraining from smoking or drinking too much can make the symptoms less intense.
Osteoarthritis
Tenderness, swelling, and pain in the joints
are known as arthritis. Osteoarthritis refers to arthritis of the bones. The bones rub together at the joints causing pain and discomfort. After a while, bone spurs can also develop and press on the spinal nerves. Genetics, aging, diabetes, and obesity are the main causes for this disease. It can’t be treated as much as it can be managed, but you can lead a relatively normal and peaceful life with it if you follow the your doctor’s instructions.
Back pain could be quite difficult to handle and it’s mostly managed by leading a healthy life and taking care of your body and diet.